St. Joseph’s Hospital Infections Curtailed By Limiting Patient Visiting Hours

In an effort to prevent the spread of infection, which can lead to prolonged recovery, amputation, permanent disability and wrongful death, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, New York, announced yesterday that it was reducing patient visiting hours to 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In the immediate future, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center will also be screening all hospital visitors for the H1N1 virus (swine flu).

According to the Institution of Medicine, hospital infections affect approximately 1 in every 20 patients, leading to as many as 90,000 deaths each year. Improved infection control practices at Syracuse-area hospitals, such as St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, Crouse Hospital, Community General Hospital, and SUNY Upstate Medical University, can reduce the rate of in-hospital (nosocomial) infection by 10-70%. Hand washing alone may reduce infections by 25-50%, although hospital hand-washing compliance rates are, on average, less than 50%.

The trial lawyers at Bottar Law, PLLC, have decades of experience investigating, prosecuting and trying to verdict all types of infection cases, including those arising out of medical malpractice, hospital negligence, nursing negligence, surgical errors, poor environmental maintenance, and trauma. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an infection during or immediately after a hospital stay, or have lost a loved one due to an infection, you and/or your family may be entitled to compensation for lifelong health care, medical expenses, medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering.

To discuss your case or concerns with an experienced Central New York infection attorney, contact Bottar Law, PLLC now at (315) 422-3466, (800) 336-LAWS, or by e-mail at info@bottarleone.com.